Automatic weighing machine



Ap 5,-1927. I R RWIEST AUTOMATIC wsmruus MACHINE Filed Jams, 1927 Y W. m w Z 2. 1 a 2 a t 0 u a fl w... m u a 8 w s m H 4 v Attorney 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jaxis, 1927 Inventor A}. j W

Attorney A ril 5. 1927.

R. R. WEST AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE 7 Filed Jan. 5, 1927 4 Shee ts-She et 5 1 2 a" 2 i g! i5 c 53 i Q f l Fig.4

April 5, 1927. I 1,623,820 R. R. WEST AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROGER ROLLESTON WEST, OF NORWOOD, I ONDON, ENGLAND.

AUTOMATIC wsrenmo MACH'INE.

Application filed January 3, 1927, Serial No. 158,759, and in Great Britain July 28, 1925.

This invention relates to automatic weighing machines of the kind in which means are provided whereby the tare weight, net weight and gross weightmay be indicated.

automatically.

The invention has among its objects to provide an improved construction of such auton'iatic weighing machines and generally to facilitate the weighing of con'imodities in receptacles or containers.

According to the invention an automatic weighing machine is provided with a sta tionary scale or pointer, a movable scale or pointer operatively connected to the weighin g mechanism, and a freely mounted scale or pointer adapted to be maintained in the zero position while the tare weight is being; registered, and to be moved with the scale orpointer connected to the weighing mechanism to indicate the net weight of the commodity. Thus, according to one construction, stationary and rotatable dials are provided, the rotatable dial being connected to the weighing mechanism and the dials being provided w coroperating scales marked or niunbered, according to the weight units to be employed, at equi-angnilar intervals in opposite directions, while a pointer, t'reely mounted co-axially with the R0 stationary and movable dials, is adapted to give readings on both scales, means being provided. whereby the pointer may be maintained in its zero position while the tare ht is being; registered and may then be cminected to the movable dial so that, when the coininorility to be weighed is placed in the receptacle or container and the movable dial is rotated to indicate the weight of the commodity, the pointer is carried with the movable dial and thus indicates the tare and net weights on the scales of the movable and stationary dials respectively, the gross weight being: indicated upon the movable dial at the position opposite to the zero point on the stationary dial or upon the stationary dial at a position opposite to the zero point on the movable dial.

According: to the invention, moreover, means such a trigger are provided to release the ireely mounted scale or pointer from the scale or pointer, connected to the weighing: mechanism and to return the first mentioned scale or pointer to the zero position either when the second mentioned scale or pointer returns to the zero position or at any other time.

iiccordin'g to the invention, moreover, means are provided whereby the freely mounted scale or pointer may be set at a known or determined tare weight pre- 6o ."i'ously to the weighing operation.

The invention further comprises lie features hereinafter described.

The invention is hereinafter described by way of example with reference to the 210- conipanying in which Figure 1 is a. part sectional front elevation of the indicating mechanism of an automatic weighing machine provided, according to the invention. s

Figure 2 is a part sectional elevation corresponding to Figure 1 showing the parts in the position in which the freely mounted pointer is clutched to the movable dial connected to the weighing mechanism.

Figure 3 is a similar View to Figure 2 showing the parts in the position in which the freely mounted pointer is released from the movable dial and is in the zero position.

Figure 4i is a part sectional plan view cor- ;ponding to Figure 2.

it igure 5 is a part sectional elevation illus tinting a modified construction and showing the parts in the position in which the freely mounted pointer is clutched to the movable dial connected to the weighing mechanism.

Figure (3 is a part sectional plan view corresponding to Figure 5, but showing; the parts in the position in which the iireely mounted pointer is released from the movable dial and is in the zero position.

Figure 7 is a part sectional side elevation illustrating a modification, and

Figure 8 is a part sectional i'ront elevation corresponding to Figure diagrammatic drawings,

In carrying the invention into effect a stationary dial or ring a, is provided having a scale (17' nuniibered or graduated at equiangular distances in a. clockwise direction according to the weight units to be e1nployed. A. movable dial Z) having; a sin:

on scale 3) nun'ibcred or graduated in an anticlockwise direction is mounted co axially with the dial or ring a. The movable dial 1) is mounted upon the spindle c oi the weighing mechanism, for example, by such means as a fitting (/1 screwed upon the end of the spindle 0 and having a laterally eX-' tending flange c on which the dial 6 is secures in any suitable manner, and centra-lly disposed hole or recess 0 in. which a boss (Z on a fitting (Z carrying a pointer d is adapted to engage rotatably and slic ably. The pointer (l extends diametrically across the dial 6 and at its upper end is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed indicating points (Z (5* which are adapted to co-operate wit-h the respective scales a 6 of the stationary and movable dials to in dicate the net and tare weights respectively. The pointer (Z is advantageously also provided at one or both ends in positions adjacent the movable scale 6 with rearwardly extending projections (Z which may be provided with knife edges or otherwise to engage with the usual radially disposed grooves or the like conveniently provided adjacent the periphery of the dial 5 and constituting the graduations on the movable dial.

The indicating mechanism is mounted within a casing e the front of which is closed by a sheet of glass 6 having a central aperture in trout of which mounted a cylindrical casing f secured in position, for example, by such means as a flanged ring mounted behind the glass and adapted to engage the edge of the said aperture and to be clamped to a flange f on the casing by means such as screws f The cylindrical casing f is, at its outer end, provided with a boss f or the like in which a member 5 is rotatively mounted, and the member 9 is provided with a cylindrical bore extend' ing therethrough for the reception of a plunger It which is normally urged outwardly by means of a helical or other spring (7L1 seated in the member 9 and is provided at its outer end with a press button 76- or the like for its operation. The member g is provided to extend beyond the outer end of the cylindrical casing f and a knurled or milled head 9' or the like is secured upon the outwardly extending end of the member 1/ for its rotation. The fitting (Z carrying the pointer (Z is provided with an internally screw-threaded cylindrical recess (1 adapted for the reception of an externally screwthreaded clutch member 71 provided with an outwardly extending arm or trigger 5, and with a centrally disposed conical seating or clutch surface A helical spring is dis posed around the inner part of the member and has the outer end secured to the said member while a length at the inner end formed straight and so disposed with refer ence to the coil to tend always to take up a substantially diametrical position. The member g has formed in it a lateral slot g extending inwardly to the diameter while the plunger l1v is termed with an annular recess If which, when the plunger pressed inwards to clutch the pointer (Z to the dial 6, comes to lie in register with the slot The inner end of the spring 9' may thus enter the slot and the recess [i and lock the plunger h in the rearward position. The outwardly extending arm or trigger 2' is adapted, when the movable dial 6 is returned to the zero position, to engage the extremity of the spring 9 and to withdraw 1 the end of the spring from the recess h in the plunger Ii, whereby the latter is free to he moved outwardly by the spring it. l pon the inner end the plunger h a head, having a conical surface If to engage with the corresponding conical seating or clutch surface '5 and an inwardly directed conical. point i2? is provided. The fitting (Z carrying the pointer d is n'ovided with a central here or recess (Z within which a slidably mininted sleeve (Z is provided, the outwardly directed end of the sleeve (Z being closed and being adapted to be engaged by the conial point it provided upon the inner end ot the plunger it, and the sleeve (i being normally pressed towards the point if by means of a helical or other spring (P.

In the zero position of the pointer (l and of the movable dial 7) the parts are in the position shown in Figure 3 in which the plunger it has been released by the trig 'er i and is in its outermost position, the conical head 71, on the end of the plunger it engaging the corresponding conical seating or clutch surface i in the clutch member i. W hen it is desired to clutch the pointer (Z to the movable dial 7) the push button If or the like is pressed in. On the inward movement of the parts the conical head It" on the end of the plunger h is l'naintained in engagement with the conical seating or clutch surface '5 in the clutch member 21 by the action of the spring (Z until the boss (Z on the fitting (5 has entered the centrally disposed hole or recess 0 in the fitting c and the projections (Z or knit'e edges at the ends of the pointer (1 have engaged with the radial grooves before referred to, the fitting d carying the pointer (Z and the clutch meniher being thereafter released from the plunger 71, and being capable of rotation "ith respect thereto, but being clutched to the movable dial 7) by reason oi the engagement of the projections (5 in the radial grooves in the movable dial 7) under the ac tion of the spring (5 acting between the conical point 7f on the end of the phuiger iiaud the fitting c3 carrying the pointer (Z. in this pol ion the spring 7 has entered the groove It".

When the dial 6 is returned by the weighmeehauism to the zero position. it caries with it the pointer (I. the fitting and the clutch member if carrying the trigger i and thus on the trigger a? engaging with the spring the latter is withdrawn from the annular recess iv in the plunger 72-, whereby the plunger his returned to its outer position by the spring 71 the pointer (Z, the fitting d and the clutch member a being maintained in their inner position by the spring d" until the conical head b,- on he end of the plunger It engages with the corresponding conical seating or clutch surface i in the clutch nien'iher i, whereupon the pointer d is withdrawn from engagement with the movable dial 6 which may now be rotated independently of the pointer (Z.

As indicated in Figure 4 the member g is provided at its inner end with a pair of jaws having their inner faces outwardly inclined while the clutch member a' is pro vidcd with correspondingly inclined faces 71 adapted to engage with the said outwardly inclined faces of the jaws g when the re; spective parts are in the position indicated in Figure 3. By such means the point-er (Z may be positively returned to the Z6 90 po sition on its release from the movable dial 1 l\ leans such as a key and key-way may be provided to prevent relative rotation of the plunger h and the clutch member g.

In the operation of the mechanism hereinbet'ore described, a receptacle or container is placed upon the weighing platform and causes the movable dial 6 to be rotated by the weighing mechanism in the direction in which, the stationary scale a is graduated, that is in a clockwise direction in the construction described, to an extent corresponding to the weight of the container, it being understood that the mechanism is in the positiQ l indicated in Figure 3, whereby the pointer d is maintained in the zero position and the tare weight is thus registered by the indicating point 05 upon the scale b of the movable dial. The press button 71} or the like is then pressed in so that the parts assume the position indicated in Figure 2 wherein the pointer (Z is clutched to the movable dial 6. The commodity to be weighed is then. placed in the receptacle or container and the movable dial Z) rotates to. a 'turthcr extent corresponding to the wcight oi? the commodity and carries with it the pointer (Z so that thus the 1161? Weight registered by the indicatiu point (i upon the stationary scale at he gross weight is indicated upon the movable scale I)? at the zero point of the stationary scale a or upon the stationary scale at the zero point of the movable scale. Thus the gross, net and tare weights are automatically indicated; while on the removal of the container and its contents from the weighing platform or the equivalent the parts automatically return to the position illustrated in Figure 3.

The iinechanism hereinbetore described may be employed for weighing operations in which a known or determined tare-weight is involved, that is to determine the weight of a commodity in a receptacle or container of known weight without the necessity of removing the commodity from the recep m l r o taine o this purpose the and thus may be set at a position with re- P spect to the movable dial 1). corresponding to the known or determined tareweight, lliettlls such as a spring: washer g disposed between the head 9 and the outer end of the casing or a clamp, being provided to P maintain the member in the position to which it is set. The press button if or the like is then pressed inwardly whereby the pointer (l is clutched to, the movable dial Z). The receptacle or container is then placed upon the weighing platform or the equivalent and the movable dial b is rotated in a clockwise direction to an extent corre: sponding to the gross weight but, by reason of the previous setting of the pointer cl, the indicating points (Z (Z thereon indicate the net and tare weights upon the stationary and movable scales (1 b respectively, the gross weight being indicated as before upon the movable scale 72 at the position corresponding to the zero point of the stationary scale a or upon the sationary scale a? at a position corresponding to the zero point of the movable scale 6,. On the removal of the charged container from the platform the movable dial 7) returns tq the zero, position and the pointer may be tripped at the position at whichit has been set by the member g. a

In order th t the location of the pointer (.l at the Zero position may be. facilitated, an adjustable stop is provided consisting of a screw mounted upon an outwardly extending lug projection f upon the casing f and engaging with an inwardly extending lug provided upon the knurled 0r milled head g l.

According to atl-noditied ccu structitm as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of the accent panying diagrani rnatic drawings, the plunger [1, may be provided with a central. bore 71, for the reception of a slidable rod having a cup-shaped seating j at the end thereof adjacent the pointer at, while the pointer (Z may be secured upon a fitting (Z having an oppositely disposed spherical seating (5 and an inwardly directed conical point 1Z z-idapted to, engage within a conical recess 0* in, the end of the spindle c of the weighing mechanism, a ball 1', being disposed and engaged between the cup-shaped seating j and the spherical seating of. The fitting 1Z may be prc vided with a lateral extending flange (i for the support of the clutch men her '2' carrying the trigger i, the member i having a. conical seating or clutch surfa e 1'? as hereinbefore described. The inner end of the plunger h is provided with a conical head 7& t'or engagement with the conical eat ng c eliu eh ariaee in. the mann r lit) before described, the head hi being conveniently provided with a conical recess to receive the part upon the end of the rod 7' in which the cup-shaped seating j is provided. A helical or other spring Z. which serves the same purpose as the spring (3. in the construction before described, is provided between the outer end of the rod j and a screw-threaded plug 72/ or the like carrying the press button 71-". The ope at-ion ot the mechanism according to this modified construction is as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

It will be understood that the mechanism hereinbefore described is applicable to existing weighing machines.

According to a further modification lustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, means may be provided whereby the pointer 07 is clutched to the movable dial Z) magnetically. For this purpose the pointer (Z is mounted upon a permanent magnet m which is conveniently cylindrical in form and is provided at the respective ends with centrally disposed conical or other recesses m, 122 and with flanges m m". The permanent magnet m is adapted to be located alternately upon the conical or other pointed end of the spindle c of the weighing mechanism and the conical or other pointed end 0 of an oppositely disposed spindle 0. The spindles c, 0 are provided of a non-magnetic substance, such as brass, and the respective spindles carry soft iron discs 0 0 disposed adjacent the pointed ends of the spindles. The pointed ends c 0 of the spindles c, 0 are set apart at a determined distance, such that when the permanent magnet m is clutched magnetically to one disc, the pointed end of the oppositely disposed spindle is disengaged from the corresponding conical or other recess m or m in the magnet m. It will thus be understood that while the permanent magnet m is clutched to one of the discs 0, 0 it is entirely tree from, and independently rotatable withrespect to, the other disc.

It will be understood that when the permanent magnet m is clutched to the disc (2 the pointer (Z is maintained in a deter mined position with respect to the movable. dial 7) and rotates with it, while when the pointer rZ is de-clutched from the movable dial 7,) it may be returned to the zero position in the manner hereinafter described.

Tlie clutching mechanism and the mecha nism for returning the pointer (Z to the zero position when it is de-clutched from the movable dial 6 may be mounted within a casing n comprising a circular flange 17? by which it is adapted to be supported within a central aperture in the sheet of glass 6 closing the front of the casing ot' the weighing mechanism and also comprising a transversely disposed hollow substantially cylindrical part 91 the open ends of which may be closed by end plates or similar closure members a The casing n may be provided at the rear with a centrally disposed recess 02: for the accommodation of the soft iron disc 0 upon the spindle 0, the latter being mounted in a bearing in the casing n and extending into the hollow substantially cylindrical part of of the casing, a bevel pinion 0 being mounted upon the end of the spindle 0. A transversely disposed spindle p extending centrally within the hollow substantially cylindrical part 17, of the casing a is supported in bearings provided in the end plates or closure members a, and upon the spindle 72 a pair of oppositely disposed bevel gear wheels p, p are mounted so as to engage with the bevel pinion 0 upon the spindle 0 upon opposite sides. Each of the bevel gear wheels 77 p is mounted upon the spindle p with the interposition of a coil spring clutch 7) adapted to permit rot-ation of the gear wheel in one direction and to prevent rotation thereof in the other, the clutches for the respective gear wheels p, being operative in opposite directions so that thus on rotation of the spindle j) in either direction the bevel pinion 0 and consequently the spindle 0 is rotated in a constant direction, such that when the permanent m is clutched to the disc 0 upon the spindle 0, the pointer (Z will, on rotation of the spindle p, be moved or rotated towards its zero position. Any suitable means may be provided whereby the spindle p may be rotated or oscillated. For example, a U-shaped lever p disposed'exterior to the part if of the casing n, may be adapted to engage with the outwardly extending ends of the spindle p, which ends may be of square cross-section or may be otherwise provided so that angular movement of the lever f is transmitted to the spindle p. The lever 7)" may be adapted to move about the axis of the spindle 7') through an angle of approximately 180", the limits of movement of the lever 1) being determined by fixed stops it", a which are mounted upon upwardly and down *ardly extending lugs or projections 1 72F, 77- upon the part if of the casing 77. The stops if, a may be adjustable. The ratio between the bevel gear wheels 7), and the bevel pinion 0 is such that the angular movement of the lever 12" which is permitted by the stops a n. is sufficient to cause a. complete rotation of the spindle 0, so that thus no matter in what position the pointer (Z is tie-clutched from the movable dial 6, its return to the zero position on the upward movement of the lever 77 is ensured.

The spindle p also has mounted upon it a disc 79 carrying a toothed sector which is adapted to engage with a rack 7' or the equivalent provided upon the exterior of a hollow cylindrical sleeve 1' when the lever 72* approaches the lower position, while a flat spring 8 which may be forked to accommodate the disc p may be provided in such manner that the lever 9 is maintained in either of its extreme positions against the stops a n.

In order to move the permanent magnet an axially in one direction or the other to dis engage it from the respective soft iron disc 6*, 0 a forked arm 9 upon a rod 9 slidably mounted within a hole in the casing n is adapted to bearagainst one or other of the flanges m, 71F upon the pern'ianent magnet. The rod 9 at the part adjacent the forked arm a, may be provided of square section or otherwise, so that rotation thereof is prevented, while the rod 9 is extended to form a part 9 of reduced diameter which extends through the hollow cylindrical sleeve 7* before referred to. The extremity of the reduced part 9 of the rod 9 is provided with a. nut g or other means adapted to engage the end face of the sleeve 7" so thatthus on movement of the lever p upwardly, the sleeve 1* withdrawn by the toothed sector 7) and the forked arm 9 engages with the flange m upon the pern'ianent magnet on whereby the latter is withdrawn from the disc 0* upon the spindle 0 and the pointer d thereby de clutched from the movable dial Z), it being understood that the pointer (Z is on tie-clutching rotated by the spindle oand brought to the zero position as hereinbefore described, In order to disengage the permanent magnet m from the disco and to move it axially in the direction of the disc 0 to clutch the pointer d to the movable dial 6, means are provided whereby the movement of the sleeve 2 in the opposite direction may be communicated to the rod 9. Thus according to one construction the reduced part of the rod may be provided in a determined position with a transversely extending pin or the equivalent and the sleeve r may be movided with, a part r of reduced diameter adapted when. the sleeve is moved a detern'iined extent to engage with the pin g". A spring 1* may be disposed around the reduced part 1 of the rod g between an in wardly extending flange at the end of the sleeve r and the pin 9* so that thus on. the positive engagement between the reduced part r of the sleeve 1' and the pin 9* and the consequent release or disengagement of the flange m of the permanent magnet m from the disc 0 upon the spindle o, the rod 1, the forked part of which it will be understood is hearing against the inner face of the flange m of the permanent magnet. is thrown over by the actionof the spring 1 to cause the immediate engagement of the magnet on with the disc 0' upon the spindle 0. A light spring 0" may be disposed around the reduced part 9 of the spindle g in position between the pin 9* and the inner wall of the part a of the casing a for the purpose of returning the rod 1 and the sleeve 1' to their determined positions when the lever 79 has been raised and the toothed sector 29 is disengaged from the rack r or the equivalent upon the sleeve 1'. It will be understood that the movement of the rod 9 may be effected positively without the interposition of the springs r 7 The zero position of the pointer 43 is determined by means of a stop a projecting from the rear face of the casing n adapted to engage with a similar projection upon the pointer (Z, the respective projections being conveniently formed with knife edges in the radial direction in order that in the unlikely event of their being exactly opposite at the moment of de-clutching, they would not stick one upon the other. It will be understood that in the clutched position of the pointer (Z the projections forming the stop do not come into engagement and thus any given tare weigl'it may be permanently in dicated.

The flange 7t of the casing a may be held between an annular ring 6 adapted at its outer end to engage the glass 6 and an oppositely disposed annular ring e which is secured thereto by means of screws or the equivalent, while a flat annular ring e is fitted upon the front and secured to the ring 6 by means of screws c". The casing ozis held by the ring 6 in such manner that it may be rotated about the axis of the spindle o for the purpose of setting the apparatus to any predetermined tare weight, the casing n being simply turned about the axis of the spindle 0 to the desired position.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction hereinbefore described. Thus the ends 0", 0 of the spindles c, 0, may be adapted to engage with the corresponding recesses m, m in the permanent magnet in, in such manner that the outer faces of the flanges m 721* of the magnet do not actually come into contact with the adjacent faces of the discs 0, 0* respectively.

I claim:

1. An automatic weighing machine adapt ed to indicate tare and net weights, comprising a stationary scale, a movable indicating member connected to. the weighing mechanismand co-operating with the said stationaryscale to give indications of the weight applied, a freely mounted indicating member also co-operating with the said stationary scale, means for maintaining the said freely mounted member in the zero position while the tare weight is being registered, andmeans for causing the said freely mounted member to be moved with the said movable member connected to the weighing mechanism to indicate the net weight, substantial y as described.

2. i-in automaticweighing machine adapted to indicate tare and net weights, comprising a stationary scale, a movable indicating member connected to the weighing mechanism and co-ogerating with the said stationary scale to give indications of the w ht applied, a freely mounted indicating member also co-operating with the said stationary scale, means for maintainii'ig the said freely mounted member in the zero position while the tare weight being registered, means for causing the said freely mounted member to be moved with the said movable member connected to the weighing mechanism to indicate the net weight, and means comprising a trigge by which the said freely mounted member is automatically released from the said movable member connected to the we' ling mechanism on the ren'ioval of the weightapplied, sub stantially as described.

3. An automatic weighing machine adapted to indicate tare and net weights, comprising a stationary scale, a movable indicating men'iber connected to the weighing mechanism and co-operating with the said stationary scale to give indications of the weight applied, a freely mounted indicating member also co-operating with the said stationary scale, means for maintaining the said freely mounted member in zero position while the tare weight is being registered, means for causing the said freely mounted member to be moved with the said movable member connected to the weighing mecha-' nism to indicate the net weight, means comprising a trigger by which the said freely mounted member is automatically released from the said movable member connected to the weighing mechanism on the removal of the veight applied, and means by which the said freely mounted member is returned to the zero position independently of the said movable member connected to the weighing mechanism, substantially as described.

at. An automatic weighing machine adapted to indicate tare and net weights, comprising a stationary scale, a movable indicating member connected to the weighing mechanism and cooperating with the said stationary scale to give indications of the weight applied, a freely mounted indicating member also co-operating with the said stationary scale, and means for clutching the said freely mounted member to the said movable member connected to the Weighing mechanism to indicate a predetermined tare weight, substantially as described.

5. An automatic weighing machine adapted to indicate tare and net weights, comprising a stationary scale, a movable indieating men'iber connected to the weighing." mechanism and co-opcrating with the said stationary scale to give indications of the weight applied, a freely mounted indicating member also co-operating with the said stationary scale, means for maintaining the said freely mounted member in the Zero position while the tare weight is being registered, and magnetic means for causing the said freely mounted member to be clutrhed to and to be moved with the said movable member connected to the weighing mechanism to indicate the net weight, substantially as described.

6. An automatic weighing machine adapted to indicate tare and not weights, com prising a stationary circular scale, a rotatable indicating member connected to the weighing mechanism and co-operating with the said stationary circular scale to give indications of the weightappiied, a plunger disposed co-axially with the said rotatable member, and mounted so as to be capable of sliding axially, the plunger having a head at the end adjacent the said rotatable member, a spring acting to press the said plunger away from the said rotatable member, a loosely mounted rotatable part disposed coaxially with the said rotatable member, a pointer carried by the said loosely mounted rotatable part, a seating upon said loosely mounted rotatable part adapted to engage the head upon the said plunger, whereby the said pointer is normally held away from the said rotatable member, means comprising a spring pressed sleeve disposed within a coaxial recess in the said loosely mounted rotatable part and engaging the end of the said plunger to press the said loosely mounted rotatable part towards the said rotatable member connected to the weighing mechanism, means upon the said pointer for engaging the said rotatable member when the said plunger is pressed towards the said rotatable member, means for positioning the said loosely mounted rotatable part concentrically with the said rotatable member when the said seating is disengaged from the head upon the said plunger, means comprising a trigger by which the said plunger is held in position in which the pointer is clutched to the said rotatable member and by which the pointer is automatically released from the said rotatable member connected to the weighing mechanism on the removal of the weight applied, and means comprising stationary inc-lined jaws engaging with correspondingly inclined parts upon the said loosely mounted rotatable part whereby the said pointer is returned automatically to the zero position on the release of the said pointer from the said rotatable member, sub stantially as described.

7. An automatic Weighing machine adapted to indicate tare and net weights, comprisloo ell)

ing a stationary circular scale, a rotatable indicating member connected to the weighing mechanism and co-operating with the said stationary circular scale to give indications of the weight applied, a plunger disposed co-axially with the said rotatable member, and mounted so as to be capable of sliding axially. the plunger having a head at the end adjacent the said rotatable member, and having an axial bore a spring acting to press the said plunger away from the said rotatable member, a loosely mounted rotatable part disposed co-axially with the said rotatable member, a pointer carried by the said loosely mounted rotatable part, a seating upon said loosely mounted rotata ble part adapted to engage the head upon the said plun er, whereby the said pointer is normally 1151a away from the said rotatable member, a rod slidably mounted within the axial bore in the said plunger, means upon the end of said rod for pivotally engaging said loosely mounted rotatable part, a spring engaging the opposite end of the said rod and pressing the said rod towards the said rotatable member connected to the weighing mechanism, means positioning the said loosely mounted rotatable part concentrically with the said rotatable member when the said seating is disengaged from the head upon the said plunger, means comprising a trigger by which the said plunger is held in the position in which the pointer is clutched to the said rotatable member and by which the pointer is automatically released from the said rotatable member connected to the weighing mechanism on the removal of the weight applied, and means comprising stationary inclined jaws engaging with correspondingly inclined parts upon the said loosely mounted rotatable part whereby the said pointer is returned automatically to the zero position on the release of the said pointer from the said rotatable member, substantially as described.

8. An automatic weighing macl'iine adapted to indicate tare and net weights, comprising a stationary scale, a movable indicating member connected to the weighing mechanism and co-operating with the said stationa slidably mounted part disposed with its axis parallel to the axis of the said spindle, a rack mounted upon the said siidably mounted part, a pinion mounted upon the said shaft and engaging with the said rack, means carried by the said slidably mounted partand engaging with the said magnet so that on movement of the said slidable part in one direction the magnet thrown into engagement with the magnetic part carried by the said rotatable member whereby the said pointer is clutched to the said rotatable memberwhile on movement of the said slidalole part in the other direction the said magnet is thrown into engagement with the second magnetic part, whereby the pointer is clutched to the said spindle, a bevel pinion mounted upon therear end of the said spindle, oppositely disposed bevel gear wheels rotatably mounted upon the said transversely disposed shaft and engaging with the said bevel pinion on opposite sides, means for clutching the said bevel gear wheels to the said shaft whereby on angular movement of the said shaft the said bevel pinion is rotated in a constant direction to return the said pointer to the zero position. and means comprising a stop by which the Zero position of the said pointer is determined, substantially as described.

ROGER ROLLECION VEST.

ill) 

